News

  The Social Democrats are backing the global Climate Strike demonstrations today, Friday 20th September, and encouraging our supporters and members of the public to take part in lunchtime protests across the country. The party’s TDs, councillors and representatives will join student demonstrators today for what organisers expect to be the largest worldwide mobilisation for […]

The Social Democrats have accused the Fine Gael government of sleep walking into a climate disaster after an official report today found that Ireland is not on target to meet its EU renewable energy targets for 2020. “The Social Democrats are determined to work to combat climate change at local government level, through ambitious Climate […]

Social Democrats Dublin Bay North Councillor Cian O’Callaghan today called for a national remediation fund for residents and homeowners affected by fire safety, construction and other structural problems in Celtic Tiger-era apartment developments in Dublin. “The Minister for Housing says he sympathises with the people affected by structural defects in apartments built during the recent […]

Social Democrats spokesperson on Energy and Climate Change, Cllr Cian O’Callaghan has called on the regulator to ensure consumers are much better informed about “green” electricity options. “This is the time of the year when many people are looking at ways to trim their household utility bills. Many people are keen to opt for greener […]

The Social Democrats have said today’s findings of low waste recycling rates among householders and businesses will not get better unless drastic action is taken to improve both public awareness and recycling processes. “We need to assist and educate householders and businesses to play their part by recycling more. But far more importantly, we need […]

Responding to reports today that two Dublin schools have been shut down after structural problems were discovered in the buildings, Social Democrats Councillor Cian O’Callaghan said: “There is no excuse for the inaction by the Department – there should have been immediate inspection and audits of all similar schools that were built by Western Building […]

Social Democrats co-leader Róisín Shortall TD today called on the Minister for Health to intervene to compel the HSE to release smear slides to women affected by the CervicalCheck controversy so they can be independently reviewed. “In our recent Alternative Budget we proposed that the Government set aside funding for a deposit and return scheme […]

Social Democrats co-leader Róisín Shortall TD today called on the Minister for Health to intervene to compel the HSE to release smear slides to women affected by the CervicalCheck controversy so they can be independently reviewed. “The favourable tax treatment that the government offers international investment funds is squeezing first time buyers out of the […]

Social Democrats Spokesperson on Energy and Climate Change, Councillor Cian O’Callaghan has called on the government to establish a waste regulator to oversee price controls for bin collections. “At the moment, there is absolutely no transparency in the sector. We don’t know who owns many of the companies or what their profits or losses are. […]

Social Democrats Spokesperson on Energy and Climate Change, Councillor Cian O’Callaghan, has said the onus on ending the use of non-recyclable plastics must be placed squarely at the door of producers and supermarkets pushing plastics on consumers. “Producers and retailers should lead the way and start phasing out now all packaging that can’t be recycled […]